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This paper explores how informal sports are relevant to consider within discussions of informal settlements in Mumbai, India. A maidan is an open space, non-designated or designated by the state. In Mumbai, these spaces exist in secure housing societies and insecure neighbourhoods like informal settlements. This study draws from an open space outside a mosque in Dharavi, Mumbai. Based on fieldwork and archival research, understanding of informal open spaces and their extension to community participation and activities that build social capital in informal settlements is informed. Building on how these are sites of simultaneity, a feature of urban transformation, where securing of this place by community for mosque, and later for philanthropic and entrepreneurial activities, happen alongside everyday experience of violence faced by communities. As these communities evolve, how does informal open space change its meaning, adjusting and reflecting the neighbourhood's aspirations. The neighbourhood has seen shifts in notions of security, usefulness of the place for people and claims to the same. Considering the complexity and simultaneity within which urban informal open spaces are produced and shaped, this study will contribute to leisure and sports studies literature and its intersection with urban studies, particularly in cities of the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though public participation forms part of the foundation of the South African democracy, insufficient consideration has been paid to the processes of public participation at local government, particularly in the provision of water supply in informal settlement communities. Informal settlements and their leadership structures are continuously excluded and overlooked in decisions and plans around water supply for their designated communities by invited public participation platforms such as ward committees and ward councillors. As a result, this has negative implications on the settlements' access to water supply. It is within this context that this article demonstrates how the exclusion of informal settlement communities and their leadership structures in water supply decision making processes at local government exacerbate and enforce water struggles in informal settlements. This paper uses a qualitative research approach. The data was collected using field observations, photographic images, in-depth household interviews, in-depth interviews with community leaders and key informants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resettlement programs, integral to the 'Villes Sans Bidonvilles' (Cities without Slums) initiative, aim to rehouse populations from informal settlements to serviced allotments. Despite the advocacy for harmonious urban development, they often fail to prevent informal housing production, leading to a process of re-informalization. Against this backdrop, this research explores housing evolution during the re-informalization process, investigating mechanisms driving housing adaptation on resettlement sites and exploring how identified adaptation mechanisms relate to the dynamic adaptations shaping informal settlements. Based on a case study on the Oulad M'barek site in Kenitra, Morocco, the research utilizes various data collection methods, including transect walks, focus groups, surveys, and measurements, with thematic analysis as the primary analysis method. The results highlight parallels between re-informalization processes in resettlement sites and adaptive processes in informal settlements. These similarities manifest through housing form heterogeneity, enabling residents to customize dwellings based on needs and financial capacities, incremental transformation providing flexibility in time and investment, and functional mix underlining the interconnection between housing and residents' livelihoods. The findings highlight the complementarity of formal and informal dynamics in addressing informal settlements, highlighting the need for flexible policy frameworks that leverage informal processes while preserving formal regulatory principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social housing projects trigger significant urban transformations in adjacent urban areas. Global South countries invest considerable resources in new social housing to reduce quantitative housing deficits, but their effects on urban transformations in neighboring areas are often overlooked. Although informal settlements are widespread in Global South cities, few studies focus on their transformations due to new social housing projects. To address this literature gap, we employed a quasiexperimental method in which we compared urban changes in Bogotá's informal settlements near social housing projects (experimental group) against those outlying new projects (control group). Through georeferencing, satellite imagery, and field visits, we could determine and compare transformations outside and inside informal settlements in the last decade regarding land values, new structures, housing extensions, basic infrastructure, and public space improvements. We observed that informal neighborhoods near social housing experienced larger land value increases, a higher number of new building permits, and basic infrastructure improvements. We concluded that social housing clusters near informal settlements in Bogotá may explain land value increases that encouraged further private and public investment around these areas. Clusters also attract new social housing that reaches informal settlements and produces a phenomenon of informalization of formality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, Non-Degree Allopathic Providers (NDAPs), who do not have formal training in allopathic medicine, play a prominent role in basic healthcare delivery in both rural areas and urban informal settlements. Often recognized as providers of 'first contact' care for minor acute ailments, there is little information regarding the roles they play in providing services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In this study, we explore the roles played by NDAPs in diagnosing and managing two NCDs—diabetes and hypertension—in urban informal settlements of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Methods: This is a qualitative study involving data collection with 25 NDAPs (19 males and 6 females). Data was collected between December 2022 and September 2023. Data was coded inductively, and an iterative process of coding was followed to derive key themes. These themes were further refined through reflections within the author group. The qualitative software NVivo Version 10.3 was used to facilitate the analysis process. Results: All NDAPs we spoke to noted an increase in diabetes and hypertension patients in the urban informal settlements they worked in. All of them provided medication for 'quick relief' to patients from the bothersome symptoms of the two diseases. But in some cases, NDAPs also reported acting as counsellors, patient navigators, and local supervisors of therapy initiated by other doctors. Generally, risk-averse, NDAPs were cautious about how much of the diagnosis and treatment process they participated in. Those with informal and formal connections with private, qualified allopathic providers involved themselves more extensively in the management of the two NCDs. NDAPs had limited ties with the public health system and preferred sending patients to other private doctors if they felt a case was beyond their purview. Conclusion: The informal health sector in India is currently offering a range of services to address the needs of patients with NCDs. Our study suggests that the strong presence of this sector in resource-constrained communities can be leveraged by the public health system to enable community-level screening for NCDs, facilitate access to specialist care, improve treatment adherence, and promote wellness initiatives. In light of the changing epidemiological burden, our study underscores that despite the contentious nature of practices in the informal health sector, overlooking this group of providers is no longer an option for health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal settlements' geographic and demographic mapping is essential for evaluating human-centric sustainable development in cities, thus fostering the road to Sustainable Development Goal 11. However, fine-grained informal settlements' geographic and demographic information is not well available. To fill the gap, this study proposes an effective framework for both fine-grained geographic and demographic characterisation of informal settlements by integrating openly available remote sensing imagery, points-of-interest (POI), and demographic data. Pixel-level informal settlement is firstly mapped by a hierarchical recognition method with satellite imagery and POI. The patch-scale and city-scale geographic patterns of informal settlements are further analysed with landscape metrics. Spatial-demographic profiles are depicted by linking with the open WorldPop dataset to reveal the demographic pattern. Taking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in China as the study area, the experiment demonstrates the effectiveness of informal settlement mapping, with an overall accuracy of 91.82%. The aggregated data and code are released (https://github.com/DongshengChen9/IF4SDG11). The demographic patterns of the informal settlements reveal that Guangzhou and Shenzhen, the two core cities in the GBA, concentrate more on young people living in the informal settlements. While the rapid-developing city Shenzhen shows a more significant trend of gender imbalance in the informal settlements. These findings provide valuable insights into monitoring informal settlements in the urban agglomeration and human-centric urban sustainable development, as well as SDG 11.1.1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focused on the informal settlements and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on vulnerable populations using a data set that covers many countries. We sample 47 cross-country data and employ political ecology and economic contagion to empirically respond to two related questions: What is the impact of pandemics on informal settlement dwellers? How can governments address pandemics among informal settlement dwellers? Our results show that the risk factors for informal settlements concerning COVID-19 include the degree of trade openness, the death rate, family size, population density, geography and airport activity. This article offers several innovations on measures, determinants and the impact of pandemics on vulnerable populations across the globe. By extension, our results have important policy implications for governments in addressing the inequalities between formal and informal settlements during pandemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal settlements are characterised by inadequate infrastructure and overcrowding. Making up a major portion of the urban fabric of Asia, they are the result of ineffective policies, unsuitable regulations and a lack of political will. Informal settlements are vulnerable to climate hazards, burdened with land tenure insecurity and dependence on the informal economy for livelihoods. As they expand, coastal informal settlements occupy environmentally vulnerable spaces, such as low-lying marshy swamps alongside water. The most frequent risk is flooding, which is made worse by sea-level rise and excessive precipitation brought on by climate change. In the absence of adequate institutional interventions and exacerbated by the impact of climate change, inhabitants are forced to develop local parsimonious coping strategies to forge a harmonious coexistence with water. The objective of the article is to find space for water, that is, identifying physical space that serves for flood adaptation within informal settlements. This involves spatial assessment of embedded shared space in informal settlements. Spatial analysis based on the occupation of space and its relation with water is carried out through drawings, direct observations and interpretation from the cases of Dharavi in Mumbai, India, and Dili in Timor-Leste. The findings reveal the intricate relation between water and informal settlements, laying the groundwork for a proposition of typologies for water-related public spaces that could be of significant use for formulating flood adaptation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The emergence and persistence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) infections is a significant global health problem. The carrier state of typhoid makes it prudent to conduct routine surveillance for both acute cases and carriers especially those caused by MDR S. Typhi. We report on the prevalence of MDR S. Typhi, resistance phenotypes and antimicrobial resistance genes detected in symptomatic and asymptomatic children living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: 215 archived presumed S. Typhi isolates from stool samples provided by children ≤ 16 years collected from 2013 to 2018 were revived in May, 2022 and confirmed using culture and antisera serotyping. The Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique was used to test the S. Typhi against 14 antibiotics. The MDR S. Typhi (resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim) which in addition were also resistant to either a cephalosporin or a fluoroquinolone were analyzed for Beta lactams and quinolone resistance genes using polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 215 isolates were confirmed to be positively S. Typhi; of these, 105 (49%) and 110 (51%) were from symptomatic and asymptomatic children respectively. On average, S. Typhi resistance from asymptomatic and symptomatic children against 1st line drugs was observed at; 77% &70%, ampicillin; 60% & 64%, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and 45% & 54%, chloramphenicol respectively. Multi drug resistance was observed in 90 (42%) of the isolates, of these, 44 (49%) were isolated from symptomatic and 46 (51%) from asymptomatic children. Fifteen resistance phenotypes (p) were observed with, ampicillin/chloramphenicol/sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim/nalidixic acid (amp/chl/sxt/na) as the most common among the symptomatic 43/90 (48%) and asymptomatic 55/90 (61%) children. The blaTEM−D, AMR genes were detected in 37/44 (84%) S. Typhi isolates, out of this 18 (49%) were from symptomatic while 19 (51%) were from asymptomatic children respectively. Conclusion: The carriage of MDR S. Typhi among the asymptomatic children is concerning as they can act as potential transmitters of the typhoid disease to unsuspecting children. These study findings highlight the need for continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and mass immunization of children living in these urban informal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal settlements are a feature of many cities worldwide, yet information about their social and spatial conditions is often limited to what can be obtained from external observation. Remote sensing and landscape photography are used to acquire information about informal settlements, but images taken from the air or at a distance obscure their complexity, advancing a reductionist imaginary of informality in the minds of outsiders. As part of a project in an informal settlement in Johannesburg, this paper explores the potential of 360-degree imagery as a realist form of spatial representation, towards highlighting the diverse spatial forms, contexts, and lived realities of the informal city. Findings demonstrate the benefits of 360-degree imagery in comparison to other spatial and visual representation methods. Findings also reveal the need for more research into the impacts of this technology on viewer perspectives and perceptions, both visual-cognitive and in terms of intersubjectivity and power relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases continue to threaten public health, particularly in densely populated informal settlements. Effective hand hygiene, supported by alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS), plays a critical role in preventing disease transmission. This study assessed the quality, safety, and compliance of ABHS used in informal settlements around Cape Town. A total of 78 samples were collected from spaza shops, with 72 analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The results showed that 76% of ethanol-based sanitizers met compliance standards, while 24% did not. Isopropanol compliance (≥70%) was only observed in 36% of samples, with 64% failing to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Overall, 74% of hand sanitizers complied with recommended alcohol concentrations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC, while 26% posed a health risk due to non-compliance. These findings emphasize the urgent need for stricter regulation and public education to ensure effective hand sanitizers are used, thereby reducing infection risks in vulnerable populations. The study aims to inform public health policies and improve regulatory standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper revisits the case of Canaan – a massive informal settlement that emerged in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti – in order to examine the often-forgotten aftermath of international aid programming in an urban, fragile-state context. Originally categorized as an (informal) internal displacement site, Canaan continued to expand in the years following the quake, reaching an estimated population of 300,000 by 2016. Using a qualitative case study of Canaan conducted nearly 15 years after its creation, the paper makes two interrelated arguments: first, that the ways in which the United Nations' "durable solutions" framework is frequently understood and applied may be unrealistic and even deleterious for state–society relations in some fragile urban contexts. Second, even calls to shift (urban) internal displacement programming to a more development footing is far from a panacea if these interventions are not designed to be more politically nuanced, context-sensitive and modest about what can be achieved in such complex environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical infrastructure (CI) services are crucial to the functioning of modern communities, and a single CI failure can cause cascading effects through a network of services, impacting an entire city. Challenges such as climate change and rapid urbanisation are increasing the risk of cascading effects of CI failure, particularly impacting the urban poor in peri-urban and informal settlements. This study uses a systems thinking approach to validate the hypothesis if CI services are susceptible to generating severe cascading effects in informal than formal settlements. Qualitative data was collected on cascading effects via interviews and focus group discussion in a formal and an informal settlement in Medellin, Colombia. The responses were analysed and structured using a service chain framework and a Causal Loop Diagram. Our findings show that cascading effects vary between the formal and informal contexts concerning CI service availability and accessibility and may be attributed to differences in demography, geography, socio-economic development, risk regulations, community coping capacities and other factors associated with urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a massive investment in subsidized housing, informal settlement remains a significant aspect of urban development in Chilean cities. This paper first surveys the urban morphology of contemporary settlements in four Chilean cities to maps the extent and location of neighbourhoods that have developed informally or semi-formally. The broad pattern is that the more informal of settlements have been practically eliminated from the capital of Santiago, yet mixed informality flourishes and is expanding on the peripheries of regional cities. Four cases are then mapped and analysed to show the morphogenesis—the ways buildings and street networks are incrementally designed and produced. A range of morphogenic patterns are identified including highly irregular morphologies on escarpment conditions, semi-regular street grids, and informal encrustations within formal housing projects. It is argued that informal production will remain significant and that a better understanding of informal settlement morphology is crucial to the design and planning for the future of Chilean cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While climate change represents a universal threat to the sustainable growth efforts globally, its impacts are not experienced equally with marginalised population groups, especially informal settlement residents, being highly exposed to its negative effects. Despite being widely acknowledged that the built environment is a major driver of inhabitants’ exposure to climate change-related hazards, limited research has been undertaken on developing heat stress adaptation measures for informal settlements in Southern Africa. Furthermore, Africa’s projected rapid urbanisation and limited adequate housing provision point to a significant growth of informal settlements, particularly within the Southern African context. The dearth of available information on household level climate change adaptation in informal settlements prompted this study to investigate the efficacy of roof-based adaptation strategies to lower heat stress exposure in informal dwellings in Tshwane, South Africa. As an explorative study with a quantitative focus, the study uses a digital simulation research design to assess the efficacy of four climate change adaptation strategies to lower heat stress exposure in two typical informal dwellings as case studies. While informal settlements have diverse building typologies, informal dwellings – frame structures cladded with steel sheeting without any thermal insulation – are widely used and highly vulnerable. In contrast to typical adaptation measures proposed for informal dwellings, the main findings highlight the benefit of high thermal mass coupled with shading strategies to lower thermal amplitudes and lower excessive heat stress exposure. Consequently, the article contributes to the current climate change adaptation discourse, in particular its application in informal settlements.

Due to a massive shortage of housing alternatives, the creation and expansion of informal settlements in the global South have become an instant answer for individuals searching for places to live. Researchers and organisations are stressing the importance of public spaces in informal settlements. This paper uses the method of a case study to understand and assess the typological features of specific streetscapes by identifying their spatial characteristics, attributes, and socio-spatial configurations. The process of permanently claiming and appropriating open spaces in the streets is examined through the Mlalakuwa informal settlement neighbourhood in Dar es Salaam. Observations and qualitative data collection were the methods used in this research. The findings show that the space typology is a product of local human activities and connection networks that have been created to support the daily uses and routines, together with the liveliness with which the streetscape functions as a collective space. The contribution of this paper is to create knowledge on the different typological shapes of collective spaces in the Mlalakuwa community and how they are linked to their local needs. It will also raise explicit awareness among the community and policymakers. Understanding these shapes will be a step forward in the treatment of streetscapes for the purpose of improving people’s future lives.

Abstract Background The emergence and persistence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Typhi (S. Typhi) infections is a significant global health problem. The carrier state of typhoid makes it prudent to conduct routine surveillance for both acute cases and carriers especially those caused by MDR S. Typhi. We report on the prevalence of MDR S. Typhi, resistance phenotypes and antimicrobial resistance genes detected in symptomatic and asymptomatic children living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods 215 archived presumed S. Typhi isolates from stool samples provided by children ≤ 16 years collected from 2013 to 2018 were revived in May, 2022 and confirmed using culture and antisera serotyping. The Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique was used to test the S. Typhi against 14 antibiotics. The MDR S. Typhi (resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim) which in addition were also resistant to either a cephalosporin or a fluoroquinolone were analyzed for Beta lactams and quinolone resistance genes using polymerase chain reaction. Results A total of 215 isolates were confirmed to be positively S. Typhi; of these, 105 (49%) and 110 (51%) were from symptomatic and asymptomatic children respectively. On average, S. Typhi resistance from asymptomatic and symptomatic children against 1st line drugs was observed at; 77% &70%, ampicillin; 60% & 64%, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and 45% & 54%, chloramphenicol respectively. Multi drug resistance was observed in 90 (42%) of the isolates, of these, 44 (49%) were isolated from symptomatic and 46 (51%) from asymptomatic children. Fifteen resistance phenotypes (p) were observed with, ampicillin/chloramphenicol/sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim/nalidixic acid (amp/chl/sxt/na) as the most common among the symptomatic 43/90 (48%) and asymptomatic 55/90 (61%) children. The bla TEM−D, AMR genes were detected in 37/44 (84%) S. Typhi isolates, out of this 18 (49%) were from symptomatic while 19 (51%) were from asymptomatic children respectively. Conclusion The carriage of MDR S. Typhi among the asymptomatic children is concerning as they can act as potential transmitters of the typhoid disease to unsuspecting children. These study findings highlight the need for continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance and mass immunization of children living in these urban informal areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases continue to threaten public health, particularly in densely populated informal settlements. Effective hand hygiene, supported by alcohol-based hand sanitizers (ABHS), plays a critical role in preventing disease transmission. This study assessed the quality, safety, and compliance of ABHS used in informal settlements around Cape Town. A total of 78 samples were collected from spaza shops, with 72 analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The results showed that 76% of ethanol-based sanitizers met compliance standards, while 24% did not. Isopropanol compliance (≥70%) was only observed in 36% of samples, with 64% failing to meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. Overall, 74% of hand sanitizers complied with recommended alcohol concentrations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC, while 26% posed a health risk due to non-compliance. These findings emphasize the urgent need for stricter regulation and public education to ensure effective hand sanitizers are used, thereby reducing infection risks in vulnerable populations. The study aims to inform public health policies and improve regulatory standards.

Abstract Background Childhood mortality persists as a significant public health challenge in low and middle-income countries and is uneven within countries, with poor communities such as urban informal settlements bearing the highest burden. There is limited literature from urban informal settlements on the risk factors of mortality. We assessed under-five mortality and associated risk factors from the period 2002 to 2018 in Nairobi urban informal settlements. Methods We used secondary data from the Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS), a longitudinal surveillance platform that routinely collects individual and household-level data in two informal settlements (Viwandani and Korogocho) in Nairobi, Kenya. We used Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate overall survival and the Cox proportional hazard model with a frailty term to evaluate the impact of risk factors on survival time. Results Overall under-five survival rate was 96.8% and this improved from 82.6% (2002-2006) to 95% (2007-2012) and 98.4% (2012-2018). There was a reduced risk of mortality among children who had BCG vaccination, those born to a married mother or a mother not engaging in any income-generating activity (both from 2007 to 2011), children from singleton pregnancy, children born in Viwandani slum and ethnicity of the child. Conclusion Under-five mortality is still high in urban informal settlements. Targeted public health interventions such as vaccinations and interventions empowering women such as single mothers, those with multiple pregnancies, and more impoverished slums are needed to further reduce under-five mortality in urban informal settlements.

In 2011, UNESCO issued recommendations urging cities, especially those rich in historical significance, to strike a balance between preservation and growth. The goal was to better cater to the needs of present-day residents and improve their quality of life through a focus on people-centered development. This study examines informal settlements along the Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai, a locality adjacent to the city’s historical elements. The present study aims to formulate strategies for upgrading housing, examining the case of Kampaeng Ngam as a pilot community. The investigation is aligned with the city’s current agenda, aiming to gather insights from inhabitants for future improvement. A field study began with structured observation, followed by an investigation of sample housing and in-depth interviews with the householders. The results are presented in three facets: (1) current physical existence, (2) resident background, and (3) dwelling characteristics of the community. The influence of resident-related aspects on housing attributes is then discussed. The findings reveal that previous plans by local authorities to relocate households into one-size-fits-all family housing failed to meet the diverse living conditions of the residents. Consequently, this article concludes with alternative suggestions for the upcoming Kampaeng Ngam Housing Upgrade project.

Urban morphogenesis in informal settlements results from occupation, transformation, and morphological extension processes that cause territorial fragmentation, producing inequality and spatial segregation, which are the main characteristics of Latin American informal urbanism. However, there is scarce research on analysing the processes that cause fragmentation. The research develops a morphological analysis that aims to improve the processes of urban assemblage by identifying the dynamics of territorialisation and deterritorialisation promoted by political and social factors, capable of producing spatial discontinuity in the informal morphogenic evolution. As a method, a diachronic analysis is developed by mapping the morphological evolution of the processes of occupation, transformation and extension of networks between 2002 and 2021 on three models of informal settlements in Lima, Mexico City, Medellin and Santiago de Chile for a comparison of cases. As a result, corrective mechanisms called “interface devices” (ID) are obtained, which include the improvement of land management policies and the implementation of gradual interventions according to informal evolution, decreasing urban fragmentation in different phases of territorial evolution and the possibility of being applied in international contexts of the global south.

Abstract The rapid expansion of informal settlements poses significant challenges to urban ecosystems and their services, a pressing issue that this study addresses by examining its impacts in Addis Ababa. This study delves into the impact of informal settlements on ecosystem services in Addis Ababa, comparing them with formal settlements. Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, it employed Landsat imagery, aerial photography, and base maps to track spatiotemporal changes and analyze trends. Through a GIS overlay approach, informal settlements and associated land use changes were identified, while the benefit transfer method assessed ecosystem service values. The findings revealed a significant increase in informal settlements on the city’s outskirts, expanding from 77 ha in 2009 (2% of the total area) to 765.6 ha in 2023 (21% of the total area). Nearly half (48.5%) of these informal settlements were established on previously natural land covers through encroachment. The research highlighted the ongoing conversion of agricultural land, forests, and urban green spaces into informal settlements, particularly on the city’s outskirts, leading to significant encroachment on these areas. This transformation caused an annual loss of $1,665,033.7 in ecosystem services from 2009 to 2023. Significant impacts were identified on food production, climate regulation, and habitat ecosystem services. Overall, the annual loss in ecosystem services due to land use changes amounted to $1,933,320.08. Informal settlements accounted for 86.1% of this total loss, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate their disproportionate effects on ecosystem services. The study underscores the urgency of addressing the impact of informal settlements on ecosystem services through effective urban planning, sustainable land management practices, prevention of encroachment on natural land covers, and promotion of sustainable ecosystem management and utilization.

Many cities in Africa are experiencing rapid urbanization where mobility is a catalyst for change. Road infrastructure, especially highways, is being constructed and expanded to ease the flow of motorized traffic especially in primary cities. Little attention, however, is given to the mobility of inhabitants in secondary cities and more so in informal settlements located in these secondary cities. This research explores how the inhabitants of Block H settlement in Rehoboth navigate their daily mobilities. Rehoboth is a satellite city south of Windhoek in Namibia, that is currently experiencing rapid urbanization and demographic change. Through a participatory mapping approach, the study identifies key areas of access for the inhabitants, the challenges they face in accessing these areas, and the opportunities that present themselves for a better mobility landscape within the settlement and around Rehoboth. Journeys to work and shopping are characterized by longer distances, primarily due to their location in the town center, while journeys to school and leisure activities are relatively shorter, benefiting from their proximity to the Block H settlement. Public transport is provided by individuals who operate shared taxis within the town, although these have limitations in terms of accessibility, affordability, and coverage within the settlements, making mobility altogether costly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe governance of informal settlements in China – primarily urban villages – remains a persistent challenge. Recently, some urban village houses have been transformed into long-term rental apartments (LRAs). This highlights a potentially novel approach to addressing the longstanding informality issue, but how the rental market in urban villages has thus been reshaped remains unknown. Examining the case of Shenzhen’s Yuanfen Village through the lens of regulating informality, this paper reveals that (1) new renovations are facilitated by the intermediary management of LRA companies with government consent; (2) the renovation into LRAs involves a balancing process among stakeholders but leaves the illegal aspects untouched; and (3) while the renovation improves the living environment, low-income households are inevitably displaced. This study contributes to a theoretical and practical understanding of regulating informality by challenging the monolithic formal-informal dichotomy and connecting the conceptualization and materialization of continuous and dynamic property rights that enable new possibilities for effective and inclusive management of urban growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is becoming increasingly urbanized, with migration rates often exceeding the infra-structural capacity in cities across the developing world. As such, many migrants must reside in informal settlements that lack civil and health protection infrastructure, including air quality monitoring. Here, geospatial inverse distance weighting and archived Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) air quality data for neighboring stations from 2018 to 2021 were used to estimate air conditions in five informal settlements in Delhi, India, spanning the 2020 pandemic lockdown. The results showed that WHO limits for PM2.5 and NO2 were exceeded regularly, although air quality improved during the pandemic. Air quality was always better during the monsoon season (44.3 ± 3.47 and 26.9 ± 2.35 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and NO2, respectively) and poorest in the post-monsoon season (180 ± 15.5 and 55.2 ± 3.59 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and NO2). Differences in air quality among settlements were explained by the proximity to major roads and places of open burning, with NO2 levels often being greater near roads and PM2.5 levels being elevated near places with open burning. Field monitoring was performed in 2023 at three settlements and local CPCB stations. Air quality at settlements and their closest station were not significantly different (p < 0.01). However, field data showed that on-site factors within settlements, such as cooking, ad hoc burning, or micro-scale industry, impact air quality on local scales, suggesting health risks are greater in informal settlements because of greater unregulated activity. City-scale models can estimate mean air quality concentrations at unmonitored locations, but caution is needed because such models can miss local exposures that may have the greatest impact on local health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global dilemma of informal settlements persists alongside the fast process of urbanization. Various methods for analyzing remotely sensed images to identify informal settlements using semantic segmentation have been extensively researched, resulting in the development of numerous supervised and unsupervised algorithms. Texture-based analysis is a topic extensively studied in the literature. However, it is important to note that approaches that do not utilize a multiresolution strategy are unable to take advantage of the fact that texture exists at different spatial scales. The capacity to do online mapping and precise segmentation on a vast scale while considering the diverse characteristics present in remotely sensed images carries significant consequences. This research presents a novel approach for identifying informal settlements using multiresolution analysis and self-attention techniques. The technique shows potential for being resilient in the presence of inherent variability in remotely sensed images due to its capacity to extract characteristics at many scales and prioritize areas that contain significant information. Segmented pictures underwent an accuracy assessment, where a comparison analysis was conducted based on metrics such as mean intersection over union, precision, recall, F-score, and overall accuracy. The proposed method's robustness is demonstrated by comparing it to various state-of-the-art techniques. This comparison is conducted using remotely sensed images that have different spatial resolutions and informal settlement characteristics. The proposed method achieves a higher accuracy of approximately 95%, even when dealing with significantly different image characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractRapid urbanization, poverty and socio-economic inequalities are causes of the backlog of informal settlements in South Africa, as dwellers cannot access formal housing schemes. Such unplanned settlements often need more basic services, social facilities and adequate housing. Nevertheless, informal settlements are core parts of the urban form rather than places for eradication. This article examines self-building and community-led upgrading practices in three case studies of partially and non-serviced informal settlements in Durban. It adopts action research participatory methods to coproduce knowledge and map various perspectives around community-led housing upgrading, building materials and construction skills in an effort to enhance community resilience and self-reliance. The findings reveal the key drivers and challenges associated with self-building, informal procurement and overall project management of the housing process. Successful grassroots practices demonstrate community ownership and dweller control beyond the physical upgrading per se. The lessons learned call for inclusive, participatory, and incremental approaches for effective community organization, self-reliance, social capital and livelihood development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the past few years, pandemics like HIV/AIDS, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 have become common worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic, which broke out recently, profoundly impacted the world. As part of containing this pandemic, lockdowns which put a moratorium on human mobility and associational life became a dominant measure. Yet these mobilities and associational life are the lifeblood of migrants and diaspora belonging. This paper examines the impacts of bans on associational life on migrants and, further, what migrants did to continue living in the absence of these associations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper is based on a case study of Lydiate informal settlement in Zimbabwe, where Malawian migrants have established an ethnic enclave to shield themselves from the precarity and injustices of foreign lands. Through convivial and digital ethnographic fieldwork, the paper revealed that bans on associational life disrupted community engagements and binding religious associational life, increased targeted violence and "othering," and perpetuated stigma and discrimination and loss of ties with family and fictive kin. However, migrants restructured their associational life by adopting agile and new forms of belonging to get by, including relocating religious shrines to more secretive places or conducting religious ceremonies in the dark, drinking beer within the perimeter of the settlement, using of WhatsApp and instant messaging and WhatsApp groups for important community updates, and collective resistance. I termed these strategies "nimble forms of sociality and belonging," meaning there are lithe mechanisms that migrants employ to further their sociality even when they are restricted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South African local governments are trusted with the responsibility to provide basic services to their communities and to ensure that communities live in a safe and healthy environment. However, most South African townships are built in flood-prone areas, which poses a threat to the community‘s safety. Most township residents are therefore vulnerable to flood risk due to multiple factors that include geographical setting and other conditions that existed before the disasters occurred. Economic status, political conditions, cultural norms, and societal networks are some of the factors that can lead to the vulnerability of township residents. The paper presents local government approaches to managing disaster risk incidents within the constraints of the geographic realities of most townships in South Africa. This paper found that disaster management, relief structures, and early warning systems are not sustainable because they are reactive in nature. The researcher recommends proactive interventions to prevent flood disaster incidents in most townships in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In informal settlements in the global South, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated territorial stigma, health risks and socioeconomic gaps. In the absence of adequate state support, grassroots initiatives emerged to cope with multifaceted impacts. Drawing on a scoping review of the literature on informal settlements vis-à-vis COVID-19, this article discusses the documented built environment risk determinants and the socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic in these areas. Moreover, the article registers informal settlements during the pandemic as 'spaces of quiet resistance', a conceptualisation that captures and foregrounds the nonconfrontational, pragmatic and evasive strategies by non-state agents operating within these communities to cope with the uneven consequences of the health emergency. By analysing the dimensions of risks, impacts and resistance, this study sheds light on the nuanced socio-spatial governance mechanisms that unfold in these communities during crises, which become critical repositories for transformative urban planning. This article was published open access under a CC BY-NC-ND licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with increased risk factors for HIV transmission, but the causal pathway is uncertain. This study documents the prevalence of ACEs by gender and their association with HIV risk factors and assesses depressive symptoms as mediating this relationship. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019 among a representative sample of men and women, aged 18–24 years, living in an informal settlement in Accra, Ghana. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, ACEs, ten HIV risk factors (five sexual behaviors, HIV/AIDS knowledge, sexual assault, three substance use behaviors), and depressive symptoms were collected. Multiple logistic regression models were estimated to assess the independent association between four or more ACEs and each of the ten HIV risk factors. Structural equation models examined depressive symptoms as a mediator in these associations. A third (34.6%) of participants reported four or more ACEs, and among those who experienced four or more ACEs 60% were men and 40% were women. Gender did not modify the effect of the association between four or more ACEs and HIV factors and therefore the multiple regression analysis was not stratified by gender. After controlling for sociodemographic covariates and depressive symptoms, having experienced four or more ACEs was associated with alcohol use (OR = 3.88; 95% CI: 1.34, 11.21), injection drug use (OR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.15, 6.73), low knowledge of HIV (OR = 3.59; 95% CI: 1.43, 9.00), sexually transmitted infection (OR = 3.70; 95% CI: 1.15, 11.96), and sexual assault (OR = 3.58; 95% CI: 1.07, 12.05). There was some evidence that depressive symptoms could be mediating the association between reporting four or more ACEs and ever having a sexually transmitted infection. The mitigation of ACEs and depressive symptoms has the potential to decrease HIV risk factors and thus reduce the risk for HIV transmission among youth living in informal settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports empirical findings of a survey conducted among pharmaceutical distributors serving informal settlement areas in Nairobi city county. The pharmaceutical distributors face several challenges when serving these areas calling the management of the distributors to resort to social innovation as a viable strategy for business survival. The concern however is how sustainable such a strategy is to the survival of the business undertaken by the pharmaceutical distributors. The study was guided by the postulates of the Three Cycle and Tripple Bottom Line models to answer three objectives that sought to address how social innovation has been adopted, the level of sustainability attained as well as the effect of the level of social innovation on the level of sustainability attained. The study drew its population from 30 pharmaceutical distributors targeting informal settlement areas in Nairobi and obtained primary data from managers heading 7 key departments in each distributor. The study was responded to by 168 managers from 30 pharmaceuticals representing 80.4% response rate. Two components of social innovation, namely promoting social values and community empowerment were extracted through Exploratory Factor Analysis and were found to be practiced to a moderate extent (M=3.6; SD=1.36) and contributed to high level of sustainability (M=3.808; SD=1.025). A path analysis constructed using structural equation modelling indicated that the two components of social innovation have varying degrees of contribution to the three pillars of sustainability (planet, people & profit) with the highest being that on people (R2=4.03) and the least on profit(R2=3.46). Overall social innovation has a negative effect on sustainability (β=-0.13; p<0.05). The findings provide useful insights on the role of social innovation as a viable strategy for the sustainability of the pharmaceutical industry and makes suggestions on how it can be deployed to enhance sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry. The findings raise important implications on the relevance of the Three Cycle and Triple Bottom Line Models in explaining the role of social innovation in attaining the goal of sustainability in organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are considered to hold promise for addressing the pressing and multi-faceted challenges of climate resilience. Addressing this contemporary agenda, this research paper explores the potential value of NbS in urban contexts based on the experience of implementing four NbS pilots to address climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction in an informal settlement in Honiara, Solomon Islands. The project, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), employed an inclusive co-production approach, with the project team engaging closely with community members and local stakeholders throughout the planning, design and implementation stages. Findings reinforce the importance of long-term engagement and trust-building with members of the community and also underscore the value of empowering local partners in project design and implementation in Pacific Island Nations. The paper details the local processes that were involved and highlights the key insights and lessons learned from the proof-of-concept project which can usefully inform the scaling up of NbS initiatives to achieve multiple benefits in other similar urban contexts in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid expansion of informal settlements poses significant challenges to urban ecosystems and their services, a pressing issue that this study addresses by examining its impacts in Addis Ababa. This study delves into the impact of informal settlements on ecosystem services in Addis Ababa, comparing them with formal settlements. Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, it employed Landsat imagery, aerial photography, and base maps to track spatiotemporal changes and analyze trends. Through a GIS overlay approach, informal settlements and associated land use changes were identified, while the benefit transfer method assessed ecosystem service values. The findings revealed a significant increase in informal settlements on the city's outskirts, expanding from 77 ha in 2009 (2% of the total area) to 765.6 ha in 2023 (21% of the total area). Nearly half (48.5%) of these informal settlements were established on previously natural land covers through encroachment. The research highlighted the ongoing conversion of agricultural land, forests, and urban green spaces into informal settlements, particularly on the city's outskirts, leading to significant encroachment on these areas. This transformation caused an annual loss of $1,665,033.7 in ecosystem services from 2009 to 2023. Significant impacts were identified on food production, climate regulation, and habitat ecosystem services. Overall, the annual loss in ecosystem services due to land use changes amounted to $1,933,320.08. Informal settlements accounted for 86.1% of this total loss, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate their disproportionate effects on ecosystem services. The study underscores the urgency of addressing the impact of informal settlements on ecosystem services through effective urban planning, sustainable land management practices, prevention of encroachment on natural land covers, and promotion of sustainable ecosystem management and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the association between household water insecurity (HWIS), mother’s handwashing practices, and childhood diarrhea in the peri-urban and informal settlements of Hosanna town. A community-based cross-sectional study involving 424 mothers was carried out in Hosanna town, and the data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, HWISE Scale, and an observational checklist. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that the prevalence of HWIS and diarrhea among under-five children was 68.6% and 16%, respectively. Only 42.2% of the mothers had good handwashing practices. Good knowledge of handwashing, positive attitudes toward handwashing, household water security (HWS), and the presence of handwashing facilities were significantly associated with good handwashing practices. Children aged 6-11 months, HWIS, uncovered and widemouthed water storage containers, unsafe child’s stool disposal practices, and hands not washed with soap after defecation, before preparing food, and feeding a child were significantly associated with the occurrence of diarrhea. The prevalence of diarrhea and HWIS was very high. The majority of the mothers had poor handwashing practices. Therefore, findings suggest interventions to improve HWS and mother’s handwashing practices, which could reduce the risk of diarrheal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to theorise power and change within informal settlements, manifesting across twin functions of leadership and representation. Adapting the Bourdieusian framework of class-formation, this research locates disproportionate concentration of symbolic resources that initially influence leadership roles but are soon subject to (re)evaluation following the emergence of an educated, dynamic and youthful class. Failure to coherently outline leadership functions de-stabilises the system and prompts multiple nodes of leadership/representation to emerge. Lessons from the paper are consistent with findings around informal settlements that privilege intra-settlement contradictions as key variable(s) in frustrating efforts by planning agencies to consistently apply uniform standards of negotiations. Equally, multiple points of representation prompt a (re)conceptualisation of the margins as rigidly opposed to the local state, instead highlighting tendencies of collaboration/contestation that underline the objective of the urban-poor to get by. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism has a pivotal role as an income contributor in the economy of Baguio City. It spawned rural to urban migration of people who seeks employment, education, urban life and vibrant cultural heritage experience. Urbanization has determined the city to address in living within its urban bearing capacity. The city's high population density stimulated climate change impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, undersupply of water and accelerating housing shortages. Consequent to the land scarcity in the city, it is observed that vertical and sprawling developments for residential purposes are proliferating. This paper discusses the displaced household settlements and analyses the effect of urbanization in housing shortage of Baguio with the goal of aligning the recommendation with the policies in the Philippines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal healthcare providers (IHPs) often serve as the first point of contact for healthcare services for non-communicable diseases in urban slums and their ability to identify risk factors and symptoms of the diseases is crucial for early detection and management. This paper assesses level of knowledge of hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) among IHPs. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight slums in Enugu and Onitsha cities in south-eastern Nigeria. Data was collected from 238 IHPs including patent medicine vendors, traditional birth attendants, traditional bonesetters, and herbalists. Knowledge scores were computed for each respondent. Adequate knowledge was set at ≥ 50% score and inadequate knowledge at < 50%. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors/independent variables associated with adequate knowledge among IHPs. Independent variables in the regression model were seven items that describe the profile of IHPs and can influence their access to information on non-communicable diseases. Knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of hypertension and DM among IHPs was low since only 21 (8.82%) and 19 (7.98%) of them had adequate knowledge of hypertension and DM, respectively. In regression analysis, IHPs who had received formal training in the past demonstrated significantly higher levels of knowledge, with odds of adequate knowledge in hypertension being 14.62 times greater for trained providers, and the odds of adequate knowledge of both non-communicable diseases being 21.34 times greater for trained providers. Training of IHPs is needed to address the critical knowledge deficit of risk factors and symptoms of hypertension and DM. This would contribute to better health outcomes and reduced disease burden in urban slums. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informative and scalable cartography plays a pivotal role in curbing urban pollution, waste management, and mitigating environmental damage in the development of informal settlements. The contemporary capabilities of cloud computing facilitate streamlined access to comprehensive data repositories, computational infrastructure, and proficient tools that have rapidly advanced the execution of sprawl mapping procedures. This study tests the performance of four machine-learning algorithms, namely: Gradient Boost, K Nearest Neighbor [KNN], Random Forest [RF], and Support Vector Machine [SVM] with data extracted from cloud computing repositories for delineating informal settlements in Gcuwa, Eastern Cape, South Africa, using low-cost datasets. A systematic approach comprising iterative phases, encompassing data acquisition, the development of a training dataset, modeling, and evaluation was employed. The delineation process involved the extraction of both spectral and textural features from Sentinel-2 imagery. The Random Forest algorithm emerged as the top performer, exhibiting the highest levels of accuracy and F1 score, followed by the gradient boosting, support vector machine, and then the K-nearest neighbor algorithms. Consequently, this innovative use of machine learning algorithms with low-cost datasets and the scalable, resilient approach for detecting informal settlements offers a promising avenue for enhancing urban planning and addressing sustainable development challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Informal settlements pose a major challenge for transitional cities, as their lack of infrastructure and urban services creates adverse living conditions for residents. This study aimed to identify an effective model for empowering informal settlements in Herat. Methodology Conducted as a qualitative study in Herat, Afghanistan, in 2024, this research employed indepth, semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection method. MAXQDA software was used for qualitative content analysis. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with experts, managers, and personnel from governmental and international organizations engaged in urban management. Open, axial, and selective coding techniques were applied for data analysis. Findings Analysis of the data resulted in 198 open codes and 69 conceptual codes, organized into 11 subcategories and two main categories. The first category, the “policy-making domain,” encompassed five subcategories: legislation, residence formalization, integrated planning, coordination and mobilization of community organizations, and mechanisms for institutional coordination. The second category, the “executive domain,” included six subcategories: institutional and managerial aspects, socio-cultural and legal factors, physical development, provision of essential services, resident empowerment, and local economic strengthening. Conclusion Empowering informal settlements in Herat requires a dual-domain model, integrating both policymaking and executive domains, each with multiple dimensions addressing the various needs within these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than one billion people worldwide are living in urban informal settlements where flood risks are high. Positive collective efficacy beliefs can facilitate community‐level adaptive action. This sub‐study of the Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) trial, aimed to identify social and contextual factors influencing residents' collective efficacy appraisals about their settlement's ability to implement community‐level flood prevention, protection and response measures. Forty‐two in‐depth interviews were conducted in 10 settlements in Suva, Fiji using a photovoice methodology. Thematic analysis was used to elicit key themes, which were then interpreted and contextualized collaboratively with the local field team. The most salient influencing factors were formal leadership, shared needs or benefits, collective identity (whether via shared religion, ethnicity or regional/kinship group), past performance experiences and expectations around collective action. While the data revealed some between‐settlement variation on these factors, there was also a large degree of within‐settlement variation concerning perceptions of these factors. Community‐based flood programming should not be undertaken without first assessing the degree to which participants believe that programme objectives reflect shared needs or will yield shared benefits and whether those objectives warrant collective action according to the community's social expectations for participation and contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the practices of repair that exist for users of mobility assistive products in low resource settings, as well as the psychosocial impact that the repair, or non-repair, of these devices has on users' lives. This article collates data on repair practices and the responses from participants on the topic of repair from studies conducted by the authors across four different low resource settings in Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, and Indonesia. This data was then analyzed to identify the common themes found across geographies. Three major models of repair practice emerged from the data: "Individual or Informal Repair in the Community"; "Local Initiatives"; and "Specialist AT Workshop Repair". Additionally, the wider impact on the participants' lives of "Problems & Concerns with Repair"; "Experiences of Breakages & Frequencies of Repair" and the "Impact of Broken Devices" are explored. The results of this analysis demonstrate the paramount importance of community-based repair of devices, and how despite this importance, repair is often overlooked in the planning and design of assistive products and services. There is a need to further incorporate and support these informal contributions as part of the formal provision systems of assistive device. A lack of available specialist repair services in low resource settings hinders the potential impact of assistive technology provision systems. Community-based repair is the major route by which assistive devices are repaired in low resource settings. Appropriate community-based repair strategies should be incorporated into and supported by the formal assistive technology provision models in order to optimise outcomes. A lack of data on outcomes across the lifecycle of assistive products hinders progress on improving focus on follow-up services – in particular repair & maintenance. By supporting community-based repair, repairs that are inappropriate for that approach could be better directed to specialist repair services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted a Land Use Change (LUC) analysis on informal settlements in Cape Town, South Africa, using bi-temporal steps, S1 (2010) and S2 (2016), to characterize land use (LU) conversions and landscape processes for informed policymaking. Utilizing the 2011 national land cover dataset and post-classification methods, two LU datasets and maps, D1 for S1 and D2 for S2, were derived. These classifications achieved an overall accuracy exceeding 95%, with Kappa coefficients above 0.9. The analysis employed change trajectories and conversion labels to evaluate LU changes and landscape dynamics, providing a thematic representation of LUC within informal settlements. Landscape reclamation processes, including abandonment, urban development, and RDP (Reconstruction and Development Programme) development, constituted approximately five percent of the total LU conversions, while degradation processes like persistence and intensification dominated, affecting approximately 93% of the area. Partial reclamation, notably through interspersed RDP (RDPi), accounted for about two percent of conversions. These findings highlight the importance of accurate and timely LUC data reporting in informal settlements to address socioeconomic challenges effectively and support policy decisions to enhance these communities' physical and socioeconomic infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study explores the potential of greywater generation and its acceptance in the Zandspruit informal settlement in South Africa. The research was conducted from February 1 to March 29, 2019, through face-to-face interviews using a prewritten questionnaire. Participants were randomly chosen who lived in the community. Data were compiled and analysed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS 25. The majority (71%) of the participants in this study were women (N = 39). Participants aged 26 to 35 had a high representation (33%) in comparison to other age groups. Respondents aged 70 and over were the least (5%). About 81% of the participants had at least attained elementary education whilst 67% were employed. The findings of this study reveal a significant potential for greywater generation in Zandspruit, with daily water consumption ranging from 10 to 125 Lpcd. The average water consumption values for various purposes were 13.1, 5.0, 4.0, and 3.5 Lpcd for bathing, laundry, washing basins, and household cleaning, respectively. Greywater generation quantities ranged from 8.5 to 56 Lpcd, with a return factor between 0.27 and 0.95. The primary source of greywater was bathing, followed by laundry, dishwashing, and household cleaning. Respondents were willing to reuse treated greywater for specific purposes including toilet flushing (98%), vegetable irrigation (96%), laundry (80%), personal hygiene (73%), and washing basins (60%). Age and gender positively influenced the acceptance of greywater reuse, possibly due to community-level gender roles. Greywater reuse in urban slums has the potential to supplement potable water demand at the household level.

Resettlement programs, integral to the ‘Villes Sans Bidonvilles’ (Cities without Slums) initiative, aim to rehouse populations from informal settlements to serviced allotments. Despite the advocacy for harmonious urban development, they often fail to prevent informal housing production, leading to a process of re-informalization. Against this backdrop, this research explores housing evolution during the re-informalization process, investigating mechanisms driving housing adaptation on resettlement sites and exploring how identified adaptation mechanisms relate to the dynamic adaptations shaping informal settlements. Based on a case study on the Oulad M’barek site in Kenitra, Morocco, the research utilizes various data collection methods, including transect walks, focus groups, surveys, and measurements, with thematic analysis as the primary analysis method. The results highlight parallels between re-informalization processes in resettlement sites and adaptive processes in informal settlements. These similarities manifest through housing form heterogeneity, enabling residents to customize dwellings based on needs and financial capacities, incremental transformation providing flexibility in time and investment, and functional mix underlining the interconnection between housing and residents’ livelihoods. The findings highlight the complementarity of formal and informal dynamics in addressing informal settlements, highlighting the need for flexible policy frameworks that leverage informal processes while preserving formal regulatory principles.